Councillor Mike Hallam becomes 786th Mayor of Northampton

Councillor Mike Hallam became the 786th Mayor of Northampton during the annual Mayor Making Ceremony which took place on Monday May 18, at the Guildhall. His wife Shannon is the Mayoress.

During the ceremony, organised by Northampton Town Council, Cllr Enam Haque and his wife Thahrima Haque were appointed as the Deputy Mayor and Deputy Mayoress.

Councillor Hallam has been a town councillor since the formation of Northampton Town Council in 2021 and represents the Parklands ward, where he was also a member of the residents’ association. He was elected to Northamptonshire County Council in 2009, to Northampton Borough Council in 2011 and West Northamptonshire Council in 2021.

Councillor Hallam said: “I am honoured to serve as the 786th Mayor of Northampton, with my wife Shannon by my side as Mayoress. It is a true privilege to follow in the footsteps of many distinguished predecessors, dating back over 800 years.

“During our year as Mayor and Mayoress, Shannon and I are looking forward to meeting as many community groups, individuals, sports teams, and charities as possible, to celebrate the unsung heroes who give countless hours to make a positive impact in the town.

“Shannon and I are also very proud of our Irish heritage, and we are deeply grateful for the contributions the Irish community has made to Northampton over the years, which made selecting our charity for the year an easy choice.”

The McCarthy-Dixon Foundation (TMDF) is a Northamptonshire-based charity dedicated to supporting individuals and families facing hardship, isolation, and disadvantage. Established in 2020, the charity has grown from a small emergency food bank into a vital, multi-faceted support network serving and working in partnership with individuals, schools and communities across the county.

Through its Food & Essentials Hub, Schools Partnership Programme, Weekly Social Clubs, and Community Wellbeing Services, TMDF provides practical, compassionate support to those who need it most. Working with over 90 schools, local organisations, and community partners, TMDF ensures that support reaches people quickly and effectively, particularly children and families in crisis.

From emergency food parcels and essential supplies, to tackling loneliness, improving housing conditions, and offering one to one guidance and referrals, its work is rooted in providing dignity and long-term impact to vulnerable people across Northamptonshire.

Donations will directly support the continuation and expansion of these vital services, helping more people to access the essentials, opportunities, and community connections that they need to thrive.

As part of his fundraising efforts, the Mayor will be participating in the charity’s Belmullet to Northampton Cycle Challenge in August, spanning a distance of 463 miles. The route passes through his family’s village of Castlecoote, County Roscommon.

Cllr Hallam added: “While the challenge is daunting, I’m really excited to step out of my comfort zone, and seeing my cousins back in Ireland as we cycle through the village will be a really special day.”

Councillor Hallam is a proud Northamptonian, born and raised in the town. He attended Parklands Lower and Middle schools, before graduating with a History degree from the University of Northampton. He works for a Canadian IT company and has had a long career in the sector.

His family emigrated to Northampton from County Roscommon, Ireland in the 1940s, settling in Duston, where his Nanna worked as a nurse at St. Crispin's Hospital alongside her two sisters. Over the years, other family members followed, making Northampton their home. Mike’s wife, Shannon is also from an Irish background, with her family coming from County Clare.

During the Mayor Making Ceremony, a word of gratitude was extended to the outgoing Mayor, Councillor Jane Birch and her husband Toby, who attended almost 300 engagements.

The first recorded Mayor of Northampton was William Tilly in 1215, but the origins of the role date back to 1189 when King Richard I granted a charter giving the town the right to annually elect a 'Reeve' who carried out management duties similar to those of a Sheriff.

Anyone wishing to invite the Mayor and Mayoress to their event can do so by completing the civic engagement form or by contacting the Civic and Mayoral Officer by email: [email protected].

More information about the Mayor of Northampton can be found on the town council’s website: www.northamptontowncouncil.gov.uk/mayoralcivic and on Facebook or Instagram (@MayorofNorthampton)

For more information about TMDF, please visit the charity's website: www.mccarthydixon.org.uk